Northern Saw-whet Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted March 9, 2012232 views13 comments

A very small bird not exceeding 6.6 inches tall. When threatened a Saw-whet will elongate his body to appear as a tree branch or bump, often bringing one wing around to the front of the body. Sometimes will sway with the wind,while perched, to appear as a leaf moving. Strictly Nocturnal, and will roost during daylight hours . Their feathers assist with a camoflagued effect & will usually roost close to the ground. Some Harsh light while taken at 12Noon.

Nikon D700 / Nikon lens 70-200 VR F2.8 / 1/500 speed / @ F5 / ISO 1000/ Handheld / Cropped to about 80% of original .

Constructive Comments Please.

Thanks

Bill

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 9, 2012 at 4:53 PM

Always a nice species to find in the wild, although for me they are usually much more hidden than this when I see them.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on March 9, 2012 at 5:32 PM

Bill, congrats on this find. I can't remember the last time I saw a saw-whet image where the owl was out in the open like this. I know it would be a little tight, but I do wonder if it would work to crop out the tree from the right edge.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Tonia Graves on March 9, 2012 at 9:05 PM

Nice work getting this little guy/gal out in the open! Good feather detail and catchlight in the eye. Nice work!

Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 10, 2012 at 12:18 AM

Sweet Portrait Bill!!! You took great advantage of a rare opportunity. Nice head turn and details. I Like the inclusion of the tree trunk on the right side.

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Claus Johansson on March 10, 2012 at 12:56 PM

Beautiful owl you got there. I had the same thought as Max about the tree. But again - no

The photo is super sharp - and I just love those eyes

Registered on March 28, 2010, 18 Posts, 48 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on March 10, 2012 at 2:23 PM

Really great capture, Bill. Fantastic detail and nice light. I'm with the right trunk out group.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 10, 2012 at 4:37 PM

Lovel bird and image, I especially like the over the shoulder pose, detail and background tones.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 10, 2012 at 5:15 PM

Hello Richard , ........Yes, usually in dark setting.

Hello Max, I'll try to repost on Monday without the tree. I am at home on weekends and still on Dial-up here, So painfully slow.

Hello Tonia... a rare thind to see with good light.

Hello Ken, ...some have requested to crop out the tree...? I'll lookinto that & see.

We have an island about 1.5 hr away and owls raptors winter here. mostly too far away to capture images but sometimes get lucky!!

Thanks everyone for your constuctive feedback...appreciate :)

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 10, 2012 at 8:53 PM

We have an island about 1.5 hr away and owls raptors winter here. mostly too far away to capture images but sometimes get lucky!!

Is that Amherst Island off Kingston? I saw my first Boreal Owl there on Feb 27, 1988.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 12, 2012 at 4:10 PM

Here is a Repost , without the Tree .

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 12, 2012 at 9:29 PM

I like this a lot Bill, neat that you can see the face well but it's not looking directly at you.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on March 12, 2012 at 10:31 PM

Hi Bill

An awesome capture of an awesome bird.. The pose, detail and color are amazing .

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Sachin Rai on March 14, 2012 at 12:34 PM

Beautiful Owl. I like the second post better too. In the larger version, the details on the feathers next to eye is top-class :)

Registered on February 29, 2012, 15 Posts, 26 Comments